Gathering Kōwhai Seeds, or Harvesting Kohikohia Kōwhai Seeds
Kōwhai seeds, native to New Zealand, are an intriguing subject for science education. These distinctive seeds, with their hard outer shells and visually appealing appearance, offer a unique opportunity for students to learn about plant biology and the process of germination.
The kōwhai seed's hard seed coat often necessitates scarification (scratching or nicking the seed coat) or soaking to allow water absorption and promote germination. This process is a practical demonstration of the 'Communicating in science' strand of the Nature of Science, as students can describe their observations of the seeds in terms of shape, color, and hardness, and share their scientific understanding through poetry or other creative means.
To collect kōwhai seeds, students should wait for the seed pods to turn brown and begin to dry on the tree. Once mature and dry, the pods can be gently shaken or pulled from the tree to extract the seeds. After collection, it's essential to clean the seeds by removing any remaining pod debris.
Preparing kōwhai seeds for planting often involves soaking them overnight or nicking/scarifying them to overcome their hard seed coat and encourage germination. Collecting seeds at the right maturity stage ensures higher viability, as mature seeds are usually ready to germinate soon after collection if properly prepared. Sowing kōwhai seeds soon after preparation can lead to quick germination and early growth, maximizing establishment before winter.
These practices are supported by practical advice from seed preparation tutorials, which indicate shaking pods out to collect seeds and soaking or scarifying them before planting for better germination rates. The Department of Conservation also offers helpful information on kōwhai, growing and caring for kōwhai, and experiencing native trees in your green space.
By participating in this activity, students can develop their observation skills, curiosity, and connection to their local environment. They can collect seeds from local kōwhai trees, plant the collected seeds (Whakatōngia kākano kōwhai), and observe the growth of the kōwhai plants. Additional resources for learning about kōwhai include identifying native plants, classifying and identifying plants, flower parts, seeds, pollination and seed dispersal, seed dispersal, attracting pollinators, and developing observation skills in younger students.
This activity can work as a stand-alone lesson or as part of a wider teaching/inquiry sequence about mātauranga Māori of kōwhai. It also connects to the past, present, and future uses of kōwhai, providing students with a holistic understanding of this important native plant. The article acknowledges the assistance of the Department of Conservation and was written by Chloe Stantiall as part of the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative project "Envisioning student possible selves in science: Addressing 'plant blindness' through place-based education". The project was assisted by researchers Maurice M. W. Cheng and Bronwen Cowie from The University of Waikato. The article can be found on Referencing Hub media (Published: Referencing Hub media).
- Engaging in this educational activity involving kōwhai seeds, students not only explore environmental-science by understanding the process of germination but also enhance their education-and-self-development through practices such as observation, trying creative means like poetry to share scientific findings, and developing connections with their local environment.
- By using the lessons learned from preparing and planting kōwhai seeds, students can extend their learning beyond plant biology to broader topics like mātauranga Māori of kōwhai, the past, present, and future uses of this native plant, and attracting pollinators, thus reinforcing their overall knowledge in the subject of science.
